POSTSCRIPT: Walker, Black handle adversity with patience

December 23, 2001|By Mike Dunn

To their credit, Walker and Black have both maintained a positive attitude (while no doubt gaining a few gray hairs).

The Cards lost their only returning starter, talented junior point guard Kip Sundberg, in the first game of the season to a leg injury. He will be out until February. Then they lost their most experienced post man, 6-4 senior Chris Krovchuk, to an ankle injury in the second game of the season. Hell be out until after Christmas. The young Cards, in the midst of a killer part of their schedule, have struggled to a 1-4 start to the season.

The Yellowjackets lost all-state senior guard Eric Radar Roeder, one of the most prolific scorers in the north, in the first game of the season to a knee injury. Hell be out until after Christmas break. The other night, they also lost their best post player, fiery 6-3 junior Terry Foley, to a severe ankle injury. Hell be out at least until after Christmas. Black and assistant coch Tim ORourke are hoping its no longer than that.

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In three of four games to date, Vanderbilt has had to finish with less than five players on the floor because its ranks are so thin. Vandy has played hard, but is 0-4 as of this writing.

Coaches do more than just teach young people how to play a particular sport. Coaches also teach young people lessons about life. They show young people such things as the importance of teamwork, the value of perseverance and preparation, and how to respond to adversity.

Learning how to dribble and pass a basketball and how to play a zone defense help a high-school athlete to be a better player. And thats important. Learning not to feel sorry for yourself when things go bad, or the value of showing up and doing your best at work every day are life lessons that help a high-school student become a better person. And thats even more important.

Dwight Walker and Don Black may not guide the Cards and the Yellowjackets to a great number of victories this season. But theyre showing their players how to be winners. Thats something that will last them a lifetime.